Down on the Ranch

Chapter 8

Jace's P.O.V.

As Gage and I muck out the horse stalls, we carry on a light conversation. I am finding myself still having comfortable feelings around him which I am happy about, yet truly confused over.

"So, how old are you?" Gage asks from the stall to my right.

"I am sixteen, and I will be seventeen next month," I answer as I realize that mum will actually be home on my birthday.

The last time she was home for my birthday was for my twelfth birthday. Yeah, we have video called, and she has either sent a birthday present from wherever she was stationed, or sent my grandparents money to buy me a present, and we would video call, but it has always been great when she was physically here.

"When is your birthday?" I ask as I toss another pitchfork filled of dirty hay into the wheelbarrow I am using.

"July 22nd," he answers, and his tone sounds like he is smiling. "When is yours exactly?"

Looking over at him in surprise, he is indeed smiling at me; "Mine is the 23rd. That is so cool our birthday's are a day apart!"

'Yeah, it is," he agrees, his smile widening as he tosses a pitchfork full into his wheelbarrow.

"Hey, can I ask you another personal question?" he gently asks as we enter the horse barn after dumping the contents of the wheelbarrows in the compost pile.

"Sure," I ask as we put the wheelbarrows away, so we can start placing fresh hay in the stalls.

"Where is your dad?" he asks, and he looks nervous, but curious at the same time.

"Dunno," I answer, shrugging my shoulders as we start placing the fresh hay in two stalls. "I have never known who he was. Mum said she will tell me on my eighteenth birthday who he is, and will tell me everything she knows about him. Then I can make my decision on weather or not I want to meet him."

He is silent for a couple of minutes before saying; "Seems reasonable to me, but the real question is how do you feel about this situation?"

"I mean, I understand that I know mum must have good reasons for not wanting me to know who he is before I am an adult, but it is hard not knowing they why yet," I honestly answer. "I just hope whoever he is, that he is not a horrible person, and if he is not, they why am I not allowed to know him before I am eighteen?"

"Sadly, I cannot offer any words of wisdom since I have never been in a situation like this before," Gage says with a frown. "I am sorry for asking, and if I upset you."

"Don't worry about it," I assure as we continue to work. "No worries about asking the question, it is perfectly harmless."

"Thanks," he replies with a grateful smile at me.

"There you guys are," Tory says as he and Warren enter the barn as we finish our task.

Gage and I hang up the pitchforks as I asks them; "What is up?"

"Tonight after dinner, do you boys want to join us to fish," Ford asks with a grin, and a raised right eyebrow as he knows I love fishing.

"I am so in!" I nearly shout as I bounce in my spot with a huge grin at Tory and Warren.

"Sure, sounds fun," Gage agrees with a grin at my happiness. "Man, I haven't been fishing in years."

"How old were you the last time you went?" Tory asks as we leave the barn toward the cow barn to do the same task there that we just did in the horse barn.

"Um, I was twelve," Gage says, and he looks happy at the memory. "My dad's and I went fishing, and my friend Cory came with, it was my birthday. That is what I wanted to do for my birthday, and we had a blast. Well, I don't know if dad did since he is not a fan of fish as he says they are too slippery for his liking."

We laugh at his memory including Gage as we enter the large cow barn, and the four of us get to work.

"Are we keeping the fish for breakfast tomorrow morning?" I eagerly ask with a bounce in my step as I work.

"You know we are, kid," Tory chuckles with a grin at me.

"Yes!" I holler since none of the cows are in here, so I won't scare them by being loud.

They grin at my excitement, and Gage asks; "Do you guys do this often?"

"At least once a month, sometimes twice a month," Ford answers with a smile. "The pond on the property is fully stocked with trout."

"Nice. Normally how many fish to you catch for breakfast?" Gage questions.

"Usually two for every person, so with you we need sixteen fish," I answer bouncing as I work.

"I can't wait now," Gage says with a wink at me causing my entire body to flush a light pink color.

"What has you so bouncy?" nana chuckles as we dinner around the table in the main house.

Giggling at her; "I am excited to go fishing after dinner, and have the fish for breakfast in the morning."

Nana chuckles with a grin; "I am glad, Jacey. Are you gonna cook the fish in the morning, or do you want pop-op, too?"

"I will!" I exclaim, fist bumping my left fist into the air, earning good natured chuckles from everyone at my enthusiasm.

Once supper is consumed and cleaned, I bounce outside in front of everyone to the small shed where the fishing poles, and tackle boxes are kept before walking to the pond. As everyone spreads out, baits their lines and casts out, I notice Gage standing close by me. Smiling to myself at this, I lock my reel into place, and walk over to him with a quiet greeting that he returns just as quietly. We fish for a couple of hours like this, sitting on the bank next to each other.